The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has announced that all match commissioners in Nigerian football will undergo examinations to maintain their positions.
The goal is to keep only capable individuals in the profession.
Alhaji Ibrahim Gusau, the President of NFF, revealed this to the match commissioners on Wednesday ahead of their annual seminar at Merit House, Abuja.
“We want only the best hands to continue to function in the very important role of match commissioners in this country.
“Apart from the fact that this seminar will now be biennial, we are going to conduct an examination to pick the very best who will always make us proud.
“I am sure that you are all looking forward to becoming FIFA and CAF match commissioners. You can only get to that level if you are competent, capable, and digitally literate. You must also consistently enhance your capacity,” he said.
Alhaji Kalli, chairman of the NFF Match Commissioners Committee, praised Alhaji Gusau and the NFF Board for their support and encouragement of match commissioners, as well as remarkable improvements in the various leagues over the past two years.
He said: “The Ibrahim Musa Gusau administration has accomplished a number of feats in the past two years, including the Super Eagles’ silver medals at the AFCON, which remain the best performance by the team since we won the trophy in South Africa in 2013.
“The Super Falcons’ return to the Olympics after 16 years and the qualifications of the Falconets and Flamingos for their various FIFA World Cup championships.
“There has also been a resurgence in grassroots football in the States as well as schools’ football.
“However, we are most fulfilled with the improvements in officiating in the leagues and the new moves to rebrand our match commissioners for better performance.”
Kalli announced that the theme for this year’s seminar is ‘Match Commissioning and the Challenges of Match Reporting,’ with Sir Emmanuel Ochiagha, Dr. Sunday Obaseki, and Mr. Danlami Alanana serving as resource persons.
Gusau announced that Premium Trust Bank, the official NFF and National Teams bank, will sponsor new kits for match commissioners, referees, and referee assessors who pass the upcoming examination.
Present at the occasion were NFF 1st Vice President, Chief Felix Anyansi-Agwu; NFF 2nd Vice President, Hon. Gbenga Elegbeleye; Member of NFF Executive Committee, Alh. Sharif Rabiu Inuwa; NFF General Secretary, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi; Member of NFF Executive Committee and Vice Chairman, Match Commissioners Committee, Alh. Ganiyu Majekodunmi; Members of the Committee, Barr. Paul Edeh, and Alhaji Sabo Abdullahi Dutse.
Others include Chief Kenneth Nwaomucha, Mr. Davidson Owumi and Alh. Idris Abdullahi Musa; Chairman of Abia State FA, Dr. Obioma Onyeaghala; Chairman of Bauchi State FA, Mr. Pascal Patrick; Chairman of Anambra State FA, Mr. Chikelue Iloenyosi and; NFF Director of Communications, Dr. Ademola Olajire.
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